Arunachal: Chowna Mein joins National Press Day celebration organized by the APC at Itanagar
The event was a true celebration of press freedom and the dedicated work of responsible media individuals from all over the State.
ITANAGAR- Today, the Deputy Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, Chowna Mein, joins the vibrant celebration of National Press Day at Itanagar, organized by the Arunachal Press Club (APC) in collaboration with the Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR). The event was a true celebration of press freedom and the dedicated work of responsible media individuals from all over the State.
Addressing the event, Mein emphasized the crucial role of the media, as the Fourth Pillar of Democracy, playing a pivotal role in the societal growth by keeping citizens informed. He also acknowledged that the media acts as the eyes and ears of the government, enabling the latter to receive data pertaining to a broad spectrum of activities from different corners of the State, sometimes on a first-hand basis.
Despite the challenges faced in Arunachal, Mein observed significant progress in the State’s media landscape. From a modest start with a few journalists and newspapers like ‘Echo of Arunachal’ and ‘The Arunachal Times,’ the media in Arunachal Pradesh has evolved into a sizable family. They have witnessed several new talents joining the media fraternity in the state, especially in electronic and digital media. The State now boasts nine daily newspapers, two weekly publications in print media, and 16 electronic and digital media outlets under the Arunachal Press Club.
Mein anticipated continued growth in media houses but urged remembrance of pioneers who laid the foundation. He commended the Arunachal Press Club for initiating Excellence in Journalism Awards, honoring pioneering figures of the State Media House like Late V Ravindran and Late Taro Chatung. Mein paid tribute to R Ravindran, a veteran journalist who significantly contributed to print journalism’s early years in Arunachal Pradesh and acknowledged Taro Chatung as the pioneer of electronic media in the State.
Deputy CM Mein expressed the GoAP’s commitment, under the leadership of Chief Minister Pema Khandu and Minister of IPR Bamang Felix, to the welfare of media persons. Numerous programs and policies have been implemented to support journalists in Arunachal Pradesh. In this context, Mein has assured to provide funds for a library, gym, restaurant, and guest rooms in the Arunachal Press Club Building, as it is the center of media activities in the State.
Mein further said that there is a need to preserve the history of the media professionals and their contributions that have collectively shaped the growth of media houses in Arunachal today. In this context, he suggested the Press Club to come up with a journalists’ archive honoring the contributions of pioneer journalists in the State.
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At the event today, Deputy CM Mein also felicitated Senior Journalist Pradeep Kumar Behra with the Lifetime Achievement Award and Editor-In-Chief, Arunachal Today Sangge Droma, and reporters Topi Ete and Nanman Jugli with the Taro Chatung Excellence Award for their commendable work in the field of journalism. In addition, he congratulated all other awardees of the media fraternity for their incredible contributions to the state. He also unveiled the APUWJ Press Vest, which will enable media professionals to be formally identified while reporting on the field, especially in volatile situations.
The event was also attended by the IPR Minister (GoAP), Bamang Felix, MLA and advisor to IPR, Laisam Simai, MLA, advisor to agriculture, Gabriel D. Wangsu, Director IPR, Onyok Pertin, PROs, Executive Members of APC, APUWJ, AEDMA, Editors, senior journalists and other members of the media fraternity.
